Using Yeast Nutrient & Energizer for Making a Better Cider

Yeast nutrient and energizer add nutrients to apple cider that can boost fermentation quality by improving yeast health which results in faster fermentation, lessens the chance off flavors and helps produce a better tasting hard cider.

While apple juice does have a variety of nutrients that yeast need to thrive, your juice will have varying amounts depending on the types of apples used and even the region they were grown in. On a homebrewing scale, there really isn’t a good way to test the nutrient levels in cider must so experimenting with recipes and additions is the best way to find the right mix.

While yeast nutrient is not always critical, it will add yeast available nitrogen (YAN) in the form of diammonium phosphate (DAP) when using a product like LD Carlson or from organic sources when using Fermaid O. This nitrogen speeds up fermentation and helps the yeast get the cider to total dryness without stressing them.

Yeast nutrients and energizers can also help reduce fusel alcohol production and H2S production. Fusel alcohols are the alcohols responsible for the burning sensation and hangovers while H2S, often referred to as rhino farts, imparts a sulfur smell and taste. Both of these undesirable products are created by yeast when they are stressed.

Although yeast nutrient and energizer sound like they are the same product, they are a bit different. Yeast nutrients are generally just a source of yeast available nitrogen while energizers contain many micronutrients that are beneficial to yeast health. While some energizers do contain nitrogen, the combination of both yeast nutrient and energizer can be used together for a strong and healthy fermentation.

Additionally, yeast nutrients are added directly to the sweet cider, or must, prior to or even during fermentation. But, yeast energizers are typically added when making a yeast starter before introducing the yeast to the cider must.

Yeast nutrient additions:

I generally add yeast nutrient to my cider at the same time I fill my fermenter so the cider mixes the nutrient thoroughly. If I am making a yeast starter I will add my energizer to the starter, otherwise, I will add it directly to the fermenter with the nutrient before pitching the yeast.

If I am making a high ABV batch like a Cyser, I like to make stepped additions to make sure the yeast is fed during all stages of fermentation. When making staggered additions, it’s important to not add too much after fermentation has begun. Because of this, I add less than the manufacturer recommended amount. If too much is added, the flavor may come through in the finished cider if it is not all consumed.

Add a teaspoon yeast energizer/nutrient mix after 30% of the sugar has been depleted.

I like to use yeast nutrient and energizer in every cider I make because, for a few cents, I can be certain that the yeast will be healthy and have everything they need for a clean fermentation.

The only disadvantage I see is that if you add too much or make an addition too late in fermentation, you could end up tasting it in your finished cider. So make sure you measure your additions correctly and document your results for future reference.

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2 Comments

Guy Grady on December 9, 2018 at 2:26 pm

I noticed on your Pineapple Cider page, that you mentioned you would probably add the pineapple juice to secondary fermentation the next time. My questions: 1) why? 2) did you try this 2nd method? 3) if so- was it better/worse/same?

I have not made another batch of pineapple cider but my reasoning is from my experience with making berry cider. I find that some of the flavor is lost when it is added at the beginning of fermentation. Adding the fruit or juice after the initial fermentation is complete preserves more of the flavor.

Also, using the juice to backsweeten after the cider has been stabilized, preventing refermentation, preserves the flavor and natural sugars resulting in a fresher taste.

While there was pineapple flavor that came through in the finished cider, I thought there could be more if I used a different technique.

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Home Cider Making

The Home Cider Making website began when I returned to the USA from a two year trip around the world. The craft cider that I enjoyed on the road was hard to find back home where a cider was more like a soda with a splash of alcohol.

This lead me to craft my own hard cider which stemmed into a serious hobby of weekly fermenting and liberally tasting.

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